Gillespie: Romney's Social Stances Won't Alienate Women

Ed Gillespie, the newly named senior adviser to Mitt Romney, said the presumed Republican nominee’s stance on Planned Parenthood and illegal immigration will not jeopardize support among female and Hispanic voters.

Gillespie, appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” said both voting blocs are more concerned about the economy.

“For the past three years, we’ve seen the damage done by President Obama’s policies,” he said, citing the rise in unemployment, healthcare costs, and gas prices. “The most important thing we can do to help women, and men, and families in this county is foster economic growth.”

Romney wants to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood and use the legislation in Arizona on illegal immigrants as a model for creating a federal policy.

Gillespie defended both positions, adding, “Federal funding for abortion is not a noble thing to do.”

“People are concerned about the economy and job creation and the lack of it under this president,” he said. “They’re also concerned about the debt and the deficits and the fact that President Obama promised to cut the deficit in half.

"The choice for voters is if we’re going to have a dynamic, pro-growth economy based on free enterprise that creates jobs, that lifts people out of poverty, that provides upward mobility … versus a government-centered society, one that requires you to meet mandates and comply with regulations and fill out forms and seek waivers and try to get your subsidies.”